Summit looks to drive the future of outdoor recreation

Outdoors NSW & ACT, along with 180 stakeholders are convening from today to address the challenges facing the outdoor education and recreation industry and look to the future, not only for industry participants but for the entire community.

Being held today (29th June) and on Friday 30th June at Lennox Head in Northern NSW, the Biennial Outdoor Industry Summit is bringing together national peak bodies, policy makers, activity providers, educators and industry colleagues.

Lori Modde, Chief Executive of Outdoors NSW & ACT, explains “outdoor recreation and education have been proven to offer tremendous benefits to participants.

“These benefits range from the healing effects of connecting with nature to physical exercise, social interaction, and the development of skills that cannot be acquired within a classroom setting.

“The Summit attendees, who witness these results firsthand, are perplexed by the challenges confronting the industry.”

Distinguished author, speaker, futurist, and researcher, Mark McCrindle from McCrindle Research, was among the participants. He set the stage by discussing the demands that education, businesses, and organisations face in light of the changes brought about by Generation Alpha.

“The emerging generation of high school students (Generation Alpha) will need to be adaptive, resilient, and lifelong learners, as they are projected to have an average of 18 different employers across six separate careers in their lifetime."

Highlighting that Generation Alpha will not only be Australia's largest generation but also the most formally educated, technologically supplied, globally connected, and socially mobile generation ever, as mentioned in his latest book, "Generation Alpha", McCrindle notes that the most significant long-term threat to this generation is mental health conditions, as already indicated in the ABS Census 2021.

Nature therapists present at the Summit will emphasise the visibility of the mental health epidemic and their daily efforts to address it.

They are being joined by providers of activities that offer an antidote to mental health challenges. School Camps, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Leadership Camps, and other programs have consistently demonstrated improvements in mental health and well-being.

Together, they pose the question arises “why doesn't every child have access to these opportunities?”

As McCrindle notes "two-thirds of teachers state that it is most important for schools to focus on the holistic development of children rather than just academic results."

Considering this, he asks why isn't outdoor education prioritised when it can fulfill many students' needs and contribute to their overall health?

As Summit host, Modde emphasises the need for collaboration with stakeholders to address these issues and forge a path toward resolution, stating "it is increasingly alarming that outdoor experiences remain limited to privileged students due to their inclusion in private school planning, yet public schools are increasingly deprioritising outdoor education. We are aware of its potential benefits for our children."

Ky Furneaux, Outdoors NSW & ACT Ambassador, began her career as an outdoor education teacher but has since surpassed her own expectations.

Furneaux, one of the conference MCs, states "if I hadn't experienced outdoor education at the start of my journey, I wouldn't be where I am today. There are immense opportunities for young people and career seekers to balance a fulfilling career with a connection to the outdoors, where they constantly feel invigorated and alive."

Furneaux, who received the Stunt Woman of the Year award, has worked as a stunt double for actors like Anne Hathaway and Sharon Stone in the American film scene.

As the world's most published adventurer, she recently released her book 'Survive' with a simple message to today's youth ‘Connect with the outdoors for your health and lifestyle, and you may discover an amazing career as well’.

Dr Phil Hamdorf, President of Outdoors NSW & ACT, highlighted the industry's pressing need for job positions to be filled within the next three years as the industry recovers from the impact of COVID-19.

Following a recent survey conducted by the organisation, revealing how serious this problem is, Dr Hamdorf, explains “due to the majority of staff being international skilled visa holders prior to COVID-19, the industry is currently facing a shortage of 3,360 positions in NSW and ACT alone, with an additional 11,760 needed in the next three years.

"People are not aware of the opportunities in an outdoor career, and we are collaborating with schools across the state to present the outdoors as a viable option for those who do not wish to work behind a desk.”

According to the McCrindle Education Report: "five of the six biggest challenges for students today are related to social cohesion, mental wellbeing, managing stress, and pressure."

If outdoor activities can address many of these challenges and potentially attract new career seekers to the industry, it represents a win-win situation. The Outdoor Industry Summit will now combine strategy and action to turn these solutions into reality.

The Outdoor Summit is also addressing training and qualification needs, the impact of climate change on the industry, best practice risk management, and maximising networks and collaboration with stakeholders.

Click here for information on the Outdoor Industry Summit in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.